ROME, January 22, 2014 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Pope Francis surprised U.S. pro-lifers this morning with a tweet signaling his support for them as hundreds of thousands of activists prepare to join the U.S. March for Life in Washington.

“I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable,” the Pope said from his @Pontifex feed.

This marks the second year that a pope has sent a personal message of support for U.S. marchers. Last year, Pope Benedict XVI tweeted that he “join[ed] all those marching for life from afar, and pray that political leaders will protect the unborn and promote a culture of life.”

Pope Francis also surprised Italian pro-lifers last May when he showed up for the Rome March for Life. His presence was particularly striking because the march is not yet well attended by cardinals and other prelates in the city.

I’ll be blogging on the Walk for Life later…the weather is frigid but the weather has never stopped the Walk for Lifers, hail, rain or snow, they’ve been consistent each year. And, sad to say, the MEDIA REMAINS SILENT!!!